Semi-Final: Australia vs Serbia 

Australia once again met Serbia at the FINA World League Final and unfortunately weren’t able to seek the redemption they were after, going down 11-16.

While it wasn’t the result the Aussie Sharks were after, they’ll still have the opportunity to walk away with a medal, moving on to the bronze medal play off against Spain. 

Serbia came out firing to etch six goals in eight minutes, the first three in 83 seconds from three consecutive possessions.  It gave the hosts a 6-2 lead at the end of the first quarter. 

The Aussie Sharks tried to stage another come from behind performance, netting a double to close the gap 4-7 deep into the second. But Serbia responded before half time, again with two from 6 on 5s to go up 4-9 by halftime.

With the home crowd spurring them on, the Aussie Sharks didn’t back down managing to deliver three goals in the third and keeping the Serbians to just two. 

The Aussies kept their momentum going into the the final period and while they were able to secure another four goals, Serbia’s strength saw them power home with five additional points.

Aussie Sharks Captain Aaron Younger, said while he was disappointed in the final result he was pleased with the fight his team showed, especially at the end. 

“A bit disappointing, we obviously started very poorly letting them get 6-1 ahead,” said Younger.

“The boys did a great job to bring it back and two goals close to the end. 

“Serbia is obviously probably the top team in the world at the moment, I think the boys did a great job especially later in the game to bring it close as they did.  

“I think we need to bring that form into tomorrow and hopefully take the bronze medal,” he said.

Australia v Serbia 11-16

Quarters: 2-6, 2-3, 3-2, 4-5

AUSTRALIA: Anthony Hrysanthos, Joel Dennerley, Richard Campbell (2), George Ford, Joseph Kayes (3), Nathan Power, Edwards Lachlan, Aidan Roach (1), Aaron Younger (2), Andrew Ford (1), Timothy Putt (1), Rhys Howden, Blake Edwards (1). Coach: Elvis Fatovic

Quarter Final: Australia vs Hungary 

It was a thrilling quarter final match the Aussies Sharks have staged a come from behind victory to defeat Hungary in a penalty shoot-out at the FINA World League Super Final. 

Hungary got off to a strong start to set up 5-1 lead at half time and looked to be running away with the game. 

But the Sharks came out of the blocks after half time and were playing with a vengeance, and while they still trailed 5-7 at the end of the third, the fight they showed in the third period signalled a thrilling final period. 

Capitalising on the momentum they were building, the Aussie Sharks took the game down to the wire.  Outscoring the Hungarians 5-3, the scores were locked 10-10 at the end of regular time sending the game into a penalty shoot-out. 

After five rounds of the penalty shoot out the score stood 4-4. In the first round of the sudden death the second goalie for Hungary, David Bisztritsanyi, couldn’t have a hand on Campbell’s next shot. Nagy (Hungary) made his one, then Kayes converted for the Aussies against returning goalie Kardos. Batori (Hungary) tried the right side of Dennerley but the Aussie goalie guessed it right, pushed the ball to the post and that ended the game, booking the Aussie Sharks place in the semi-final.

MVP of the match, triple Olympian Richie Campbell, said the side was naturally pleased to have secured a semi final place. 

“Fantastic win for the boys, especially in a shoot out.  But we did start very slow, letting them go up 5-1 was hard to get back into it.

“Third and fourth quarter for us we just stuck to the game plan, execute good goals in the end.  We are happy with the result. 

“We seem to have a knack for winning them (penalty shoot outs) so hopefully that keeps going,” said Campbell.

Aussie Sharks Head Coach Elvis Fatovic held no punches in his assessment of the game. 

 “The first half was a disaster, most probably the worst I’ve ever seen from my team. 

“In the break I told them not to worry about the chances, they just had to take their shots as in the first half all shots and passes were like alibis. 

“Of course, we were also aware that the Hungarians had a rather tiring match against Japan as that game usually dries you out, so we were counting on that they couldn’t cope with our pace that’s why we pushed as hard as we could in the final period. Even if we could make in the shootout, but our plan worked after all,” said Fatovic. 

Hungary v Australia 15-16

Quarters: 2-1, 3-0, 2-4, 3-5 – pen: 5-6

AUSTRALIA: Joel Dennerley, Anthony Hrysanthos, Richard Campbell (5), George Ford, Joseph Kayes (3), Nathan Power, Edwards Lachlan, Aidan Roach (2), Aaron Younger, Andrew Ford (2), Timothy Putt (1), Rhys Howden (2), Blake Edwards (1). Coach: Elvis Fatovic

GAME 3: Australia vs Croatia 

Australia faced a formidable Croatia in game three of the FINA World League Super Final, narrowly going down 9-11. 

With Serbia taking out the top of the pool, this was a battle for second on the table ahead of the quarter finals.

The Aussie Sharks came out strong and look to be delivering a repeat result from the time the two sides met at the World Cup. The Sharks held a one-point lead at half time, 6-5, and look to be positioned well. 

But the third quarter saw Croatia come out firing on all cylinders, scoring six to the Aussies three goals to position themselves with a two-point lead heading into the final quarter. 

While the Sharks managed to claw their way back in the final quarter, there wasn’t enough time seeing the Aussies go down 9-11.  

 “In the first half we played well, then in the third we were too passive in our man-ups. 

“There we made too many mistakes and the Croatians are too experienced not to build on this. 

“They just did that, scored six goals and that decided the match but I’m still happy with the way the team played,” he said. 

Croatia v Australia 11-9

Anthony Hrysanthos, Joel Dennerley Richard Campbell, George Ford, Joseph Kayes (1), Nathan Power, Edwards Lachlan (1), Aidan Roach (1), Nicholas Brooks, Andrew Ford (3), Timothy Putt (1), Lachlan Hollis (1), Blake Edwards (1). Coach: Elvis Fatovic

Extramen:

CRO: 4 for 12

AUS: 4 for 12

Game 2: Australia vs Kazakshtan 

BELGRADE, SERBIA I Australia’s men’s water polo team bounced back in their second match of the FINA World League Super Final to take decisive win over Kazakshtan, 14-5.

After going down to reigning Olympic champions Serbia in the first match, the Aussie Sharks produced a solid win, building throughout the game.

It was a slow start for the Aussie Sharks, setting up a nice 3-2 lead at the end for the first period. The second half saw them score four unanswered goals until Kazakhstan produced one just prior to the buzzer to put the score at 7-3 at half time.

The calculated play from the Aussies saw them score three unanswered goals in the third period, with their strong defensive efforts keeping Kazakhstan scoreless. They powered home in the final period with a further four goals to finish out the game 14-5.

Lachlan Hollis was named FINA MVP of the match, saying the team was happy with how they executed their game plan.

“It was a good start to the game, we were a bit slow in the first quarter but after we found our groove we really took it to them in the third and fourth. We played our systems and were able to come away with a good win,” said Hollis.

“The boys stuck to our systems, nothing too fancy. In defence, the guys were really good, they had their really big blocks up today with everyone working together and staying as one,” he said.

Aussie Sharks Head Coach, Elvis Fatovic, said he was pleased with how the team adapted after game one.

“This game was quite a contrast compared to our first one (against Serbia). There I could be satisfied with our first period but definitely not with the following third, even it came after the rain delay.

“Today we started the first period really slowly but managed to gain some speed in the following three quarters. We did what we had to, our defence was good, or let me say, did enough in this game,” said Fatovic.

More action coming up tonight for the third and final game of the pool stages where Australia will meet Croatia – Thursday 20 June 10:00pm AEST.

Watch live at www.finatv.live

Game 2: Australia v Kazakhstan 14-5

Quarters: 3-2, 4-1, 3-0, 4-2

AUSTRALIA: Anthony Hrysanthos (14/19, 73.7%), Joel Dennerley (GK, n. e.) – Richard Campbell (2), George Ford (1), Joe Kayes (2), Nathan Power (1), Edwards Lachlan (2), Aidan Roach, Aaron Younger (2), Lachlan Hollis (1), Tim Putt, Rhys Howden (1)), Blake Edwards (2). Coach: Elvis Fatovic

Shots: AUS: 14/31, 45.2% KAZ: 5/26, 19.2%

Extramen: AUS: 9 for 11 KAZ: 3 for 11

Penalties: AUS: 1 for 1 KAZ: 0

GAME 1 - AUSTRALIA VS SERBIA 

Storm delays damped Australia’s opening match at the FINA World League Super Finals, with the Aussie Sharks going down to reigning Olympic champions Serbia 8-12.

Getting off to a strong start in the opening quarter in both their attack and defence, the Aussies took an early 3-0 lead. In front of a rowdy home crowd the Serbians came back fighting although the Aussies held their lead at the end of the quarter 5-4.

But thunder storms haltered competition for 45 minutes, essentially breaking the Aussie Sharks momentum.

When play resumed the hosts came out firing and delivered a strong defensive period to keep the Aussie Sharks scoreless, while producing three goals to lead 7-5 at half time.

Captain Aaron Younger put the Australians back on the board in the third quarter, but four impressive goals to Serbia saw them extend their lead 6-11 at the break.

The Aussies showed great grit throughout the game and managed to hold out Serbia to only allow them one more goal, while Howden and Campbell were able to net a goal a piece, both in extra man.

Although the result wasn’t what the Aussies had hoped, Head Coach Elvis Fatovic said there was plenty to be pleased with from the game.

“It was two match and preferred the first one much more. We knew that the Serbians would start gearing up anyway, so it wasn’t just the rain which turned this match.

“We committed too many mistakes, gave away easy goals, this is not the way you can beat them. Still, I’m not unhappy with what I saw today,’ he said.

Triple Olympian Rhys Howden echoed Fatovic sentiment admitting there were plenty of positive signs for the Aussie Sharks.

“We had a really good first quarter, obviously a lot of goals scored, we were up 5-4…. I think we lost our way a little at the backend of the game.

“We had a big stoppage which affected both teams in the end but it’s something we needed to overcome having that fast start and I think it might have slowed us down a little bit.

“A lot of things to still work on, but very positive signs for our first game against the host nation.

The Australians will now take on Kazakhstan tomorrow morning (20 June) at 3:15am AEST.

Watch live on FinaTV. 

GAME 1: Australia 8 v Serbia 12

Quarters: 5-4, 0-3, 3-4, 0-1

Extraman:

AUS: 5 for 12

SRB: 4 for 8

Penalties:

AUS: 1 for 1

SRB: 1 for 2

AUSTRALIA: Joel Dennerley, Anthony Hrysanthos (GK, n. e.) – Richard Campbell (2), George Ford (1), Joseph Kayes, Nathan Power (2), Edwards Lachlan, Aidan Roach, Aaron Younger (1) Nicholas Brooks, Timothy Putt, Rhys Howden (2), Blake Edwards. Coach: Elvis Fatovic